Multipurpose hydrogen generator system

Abstract

A hydrogen generator system includes an electrolyzer for executing a water electrolysis process and associated devices for operation thereof to produce hydrogen and oxygen, and functionally interconnected to each other: 1) a device for recovering heat generated by the electrolysis and cooling of the electrolyzer, 2) a device for storing the generated hydrogen, 3) a burner for generating heat, and 4) a fuel cell for producing electrical energy. The burner and the fuel cell are connected in parallel and suppliable with the hydrogen produced directly by the electrolyzer and/or with the hydrogen drawn from the storage device, as well as respective circuit and control and adjustment components. The entire hydrogen generator system is accommodated in a casing, which has externally a plurality of inlet connection fittings for the water and electrical power supply system for supplying the electrolyzer and outlet connection fittings for the various services and products supplied.

1 . Multipurpose hydrogen generator system, comprising an electrolyser for executing a water electrolysis process and associated devices for operation thereof to produce hydrogen and oxygen,
 characterised in that it further comprises, functionally interconnected to each other:
 a device ( 14 ) for recovering the heat generated by the electrolysis and cooling of the electrolyser ( 12 ), 
 a device ( 21 ) for storing the generated hydrogen, 
 a burner ( 18 ) for generating heat, and 
 a fuel cell ( 19 ) for producing electrical energy, 
   wherein said burner ( 18 ) and said fuel cell ( 19 ) are connected parallel and suppliable with the hydrogen produced directly by the electrolyser ( 12 ) and/or with the hydrogen drawn from said storage device ( 21 ),
 as well as respective circuit and control and adjustment components, and 
   in that the entire hydrogen generator system ( 1 ) is accommodated in a casing ( 2 ), which has—externally—a plurality of inlet connection fittings ( 3 ,  4 ) for the water and electrical power supply system for supplying the electrolyser ( 12 ) and outlet connection fittings ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ) for the various services and products supplied.   
     
     
         2 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the electrical energy is supplied from renewable sources, possibly integrated by electrical power supply available at privileged periods of time, for example at night. 
     
     
         3 . Hydrogen generator according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the hydrogen storage device ( 21 ) is provided for as a tank under pressure or contains metal hydrides and forms an associated storage tank. 
     
     
         4 . Hydrogen generator according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the demineralizer ( 13 ) is reverse osmosis demineralizer. 
     
     
         5 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the heat recovery device ( 14 ) comprises a heat exchanger ( 14 ), whose primary circuit ( 15 ) is associated to the electrolyser ( 12 ) and whose secondary circuit ( 17 ) is connected to a heat user, for example a household or industrial heating system ( 10 ). 
     
     
         6 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the burner ( 18 ) for producing heat is for example a catalytic combustion burner for hydrogen with the ignition of the reaction at ambient temperature, without using a flame, with reaction entirely below the temperature of formation of NO x  and discharge solely made up of moist hot air, and with the heat entirely transferred to the water for heating said heating system ( 10 ). 
     
     
         7 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell ( 19 ) is obtained for providing an electrical back-up service for the structures associated thereto, such as hospitals and so on and so forth. 
     
     
         8 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the heating system ( 10 ) is a heating system for houses, preferably of the radiating type, integrated with a solar heat system. 
     
     
         9 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that high-purity distilled water is obtained from the recovery of the condensate of the water vapour from the burner ( 18 ). 
     
     
         10 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it forms—with said accommodation casing ( 2 )—a ready preassembled unit for installation thereof for connection, on the inlet side, to the water and power supply systems and, on the outlet side, to the heating services ( 10 ) and electrical back-up units and to the points for collecting the products provided for, for example oxygen, ozone and high-purity distilled water. 
     
     
         11 . Hydrogen generator system according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a control device supported by a programmable software, which is suitable to manage in the most suitable manner all controllable circuit devices and components.